Montana is the 41st state to enter the United States, and has a culturally-diverse population representing a broad spectrum of music genre, style, and instrumentation.
Due to its migration patterns and place in the American West, Montana has a heritage of pioneer folk music and cowboy songs and poetry. The state also has a tradition of baroque, classical, and romantic era music: two prominent musical institutions, both classical, are the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra, which was established in 1958, and the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, which was established in 1963. The Helena Symphony was founded in 1955 and is known to be one of the premier symphonies of Montana and the Northwest. The Billings Symphony and Chorus is the premier symphony in Montana, performing for the community throughout the year.
Another well known band includes Helena and Missoula's The Skoidats, who recorded on New York City's Moon Ska label in the late 1990s.[citation needed]
Country singer Doug Adkins was born in Havre.[5] Country singer Randy Rhoads was born in Wolf Point, Montana and lived in Malta throughout most of his career as a recording artist for Blue Ridge Records. He appeared on TNN's Nashville Now with Ralph Emery twice.[citation needed]
John Mayer visited and fell in love with Livingston, where he bought a house and re-settled in the spring of 2012. His album Paradise Valley is named for where he lives in Montana and features country music influences.[6]
One of Montana's favorite modern era rock bands is Dawghouse from Helena.
Jared Blake, Nashville singer/songwriter, finalist from season 1 of The Voice, sings about the beautiful Montana Skies in his song "Oak Tree" and the video was filmed in Montana. It features the Montana-based Bikers Against Bullies USA non-profit organization and their national anti-bullying campaign.[citation needed]
In the Flathead Valley, some of the more popular acts are Marshall Catch (country tinged-rock),[8]Luke Dowler (rock/singer-songwriter),[9] God Fearing Women, and The Rockaholics.[citation needed]